Health News

Health Highlights: Oct. 15, 2012

Health Highlights: Oct. 15, 2012

10/15/12

Here are some of the latest health and medical news
developments, compiled by the editors of HealthDay:

Nobel Economics Prize Awarded for Match-Making Research

The 2012 Nobel economics prize was awarded Monday to two
American scholars for their research on match-making in markets
where prices aren't the deciding factor, including pairing human
organs with transplant recipients and student doctors with
hospitals.

The recipients are Alvin Roth, 60, and Lloyd Shapley, 89. Roth
is a professor at Harvard University and Harvard Business School.
Shapley is a professor emeritus at the University of California,
Los Angeles, the
Associated Pressreported.

"There are economic problems that can't be solved with normal market mechanisms," prize committee member Peter Gardenfors said. "With these matchings there is no money involved so the main thing is to follow what kind of preferences people have -- who wants to be matched with whom -- and find a good solution to that."

Along with the health-field applications, the work by Roth and
Shapley can be used in a number of other areas, including matching
students with schools and refugees with housing, the
APreported.

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Industry Groups Sue to Block NYC Sugary Drinks Law

Beverage makers and other business groups have launched a
lawsuit to try to block New York City's new law that would restrict
sales of super-sized, sugary drinks.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg has called the regulation, set to take
effect in March, a reasonable way to fight obesity. Soda companies,
restaurateurs and other businesses think it is unfair and
undemocratic, the
Associated Pressreported.

"For the first time, they're telling New Yorkers how much of certain safe and lawful beverages they can drink," said Caroline Starke, a spokeswoman for the business groups.

The city has won previous fights over banning smoking in bars
and offices and making fast-food restaurants list calorie counts on
their menus, noted Marc LaVorgna, a spokesman for the mayor, the
APreported.

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Sunland Recall Expanded to Include Raw, Roasted Peanuts

Raw and roasted peanuts have been added to a recall of peanut
butter and other nut products associated with a salmonella
outbreak.

The outbreak, linked to New Mexico company Sunland Inc., has
sickened 35 people in 19 states but there are fears those numbers
could grow,
ABC Newsreported.

More than 400 products have been added to the list of recalled
items, according to lists released by Sunland and the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration. Everything made at Sunland's contaminated
plant since March 2010 has been recalled.

"All of the illnesses that have been investigated are related to the peanut butter products that are from the one plant," said Robert Tauxe of the Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention, ABC Newsreported.

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Nature's Recipe Dog Treats Recalled

Dog treats that could be contaminated with salmonella are being
recalled by Kansas-based Nature's Recipe.

The recalled "Nature's Recipe Oven Baked Biscuits with Real
Chicken" were sold in 19-ounce stand-up resealable pouches that are
marked with the Lot Codes 2199TP or 2200TP, a UPC Code of 30521
51549, and a "Best If Used By Date" stamp of "10 11 13" and "10 12
13," the
Associated Pressreported.

The products were sold across the United States, primarily at
pet specialty retailers. Consumers should immediately discard the
recalled treats, the company said.

No pet or human illnesses have been reported in connection with
the treats, but Nature's Recipe said pet owners should monitor
themselves and their dogs for signs of salmonella illness and seek
medical care if needed, the
APreported.

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.